Description

Red Ramshorn Snail (Planorbella duryi)

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Planorbella duryi (Red variety)

• Family: Planorbidae

• Origin: Widely distributed – common in aquariums worldwide

• Size: 0.5 – 1.5 inches (1.5 – 4 cm)

• Lifespan: 1 – 2 years

• Tank Zone: Bottom, glass, and plants (they move everywhere)

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS: 100 – 250 ppm

• pH: 7.0 – 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline, prevents shell erosion)

• Temperature: 20 – 28°C (68 – 82°F)

• Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH

🐌 Characteristics

• Recognized by their bright red/orange shells and translucent bodies.

• Active, peaceful snails that graze constantly on surfaces.

• Can climb glass, decorations, and even float at the water surface.

• Breed easily and can multiply quickly in aquariums.

• Great cleanup crew but may overpopulate if overfed.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Omnivorous with herbivore preference.

• Diet: Algae, leftover fish food, blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, spinach), algae wafers.

• Feeding: Usually live off tank leftovers; supplement if food is low.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: 5 gallons minimum (small groups can live in nano tanks).

• Filtration: Gentle filter; they don’t like strong currents.

• Decor: Plants, rocks, driftwood, smooth surfaces for grazing.

• Water Change: 20–25% weekly.

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Can live alone or in groups; they breed naturally.

• Tank Mates: Guppies, Tetras, Shrimp, Corydoras, peaceful fish.

• Avoid: Loaches, Pufferfish, Assassin Snails (they eat them).

✅ Do’s

• Provide calcium for healthy shell growth.

• Allow algae to grow naturally for grazing.

• Keep population in check by controlling food supply.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t overfeed (causes population boom).

• Don’t keep with aggressive snail-eating fish.

• Don’t allow acidic water – it weakens shells.

⭐ Quick Tips

• Bright, colorful snail that adds contrast to aquariums.

• Excellent algae eater and leftover cleaner.

• Beginner-friendly, but watch out for fast reproduction.